Seong Gi-hun slurped his noodles, pretending not to notice his mother’s watchful gaze. He knew that look—it meant trouble.

"I met a nice young woman at the market," she said, setting down her chopsticks. "She’s kind and young, from a good family. You should meet her."

Gi-hun scoffed, shaking his head. "Eomma, stop trying to set me up. I’m fine on my own."

"Fine?" His mother frowned. "You gamble away what little you have, you barely see your daughter, and you call that fine?"

Gi-hun crossed his arms like a stubborn child. "I don’t need marriage to fix my life!"

His mother sighed. "Then what will? At this rate, you’ll be alone forever."

Gi-hun clenched his jaw, pushing his bowl away. "Better alone than in some forced marriage."

His mother shook her head, disappointed. "One day, you’ll regret this, Gi-hun."

His mother got mad and walked away. He didn't like seeing his mother angry.